US Scrap Trends Outlook: June

The outlook for North American steel scrap prices has headed further into bearish territory ahead of June's trade, with prices for all grades expected to fall again after a round of across-the-board decreases in May

Outlook for steel scrap price in June

The US steel scrap market is headed for its second consecutive month of downturn across all grades in June with the onset of the typically quiet summer season ushering in further weakness.

The Trend Indicator tipped into increasingly bearish territory with a posting of 34.4, down from May’s already-negative reading of 35.4. The scrap trends outlook’s prediction model allows for a potential average price drop of 13% in June. Learn more in our latest scrap outlook.

A significant 62.5% of survey participants anticipate that prices will be lower in June versus May while 29% posit that the market could trend sideways over the period. Lower scrap demand is the driving factor behind June’s slated downward correction according to 54.41% of respondents. Find out what US steel scrap buyers, sellers and brokers think about market conditions.

Pre-trade expectations for steel scrap prices

Shredded scrap is expected to underperform its cut and prime counterparts next month. Pre-trade talk that mills will be looking to redress the balance in Midwest shredded scrap prices – which are trending $50 higher per ton than their Southern equivalents in some instances – is likely fueling this expectation.

A lack of robust export options may pull the rug further from under the market for cuts and shred following a period of sequential decline in prices to Turkey. Overall trend consensus rose to 65% in June versus 59% in May, suggesting that the market is increasingly aligned on the direction the market will take. Learn more.

Make sense of the US steel scrap market and track the critical indicators impacting steel scrap price movements in our latest outlook.

What to read next
Fastmarkets’ pricing database has been updated. The following prices were published with a delay of 1 day: MB-IRO-0018, Iron ore 61% Fe fines, % Fe VIU, cfr Qingdao, $/dmtMB-IRO-0019, Iron ore 65% Fe fines, % Fe VIU, cfr Qingdao, $/dmtMB-IRO-0020, Iron ore fines, % Si VIU, cfr Qingdao, $/dmtMB-IRO-0021, Iron ore fines, % Al2O3 VIU, […]
Fastmarkets initially consulted on location of delivery, exact sizing and impurities of materials and payment terms following feedback that these parameters should be narrowed. But feedback from some market participants has been incomplete during the consultation period, requiring greater time to achieve clarity on these points. Furthermore, since the consultation launched, the UAE has announced a reverse […]
These changes are based partly on market feedback and on changes to regional production and SAF flows to Chicago and Los Angeles. Additionally, the calculations for feedstock production volume loss have been updated with market feedback. The new calculation assumes maximized SAF output at a hydrotreated esters and fatty acids (HEFA) production facility, and so […]
Here are the key takeaways from market participants on US ferrous scrap metal prices, market confidence, inventory and more from our January 2026 survey.
Find out how the STEEL Act aims to support steelworkers and domestic pipe producers through stricter trade enforcement measures.
Understand the Brazil steel outlook and what anti-dumping measures mean for market stability and growth in the coming year.